Used Hyundai i30 Hatchback 2012-2017 review

Once upon a time, Hyundai’s mid-range family cars were packed full of shiny plastics and about as stylish as a rubber doorstop – but with the arrival of the Hyundai i30, all that started to change.

The first-generation model, built from 2007-2012, proved that the South Korean manufacturer could punt out a credible hatchback, but this second-generation model threw a little flair into the mix, with a stylish body and a tastefully finished interior that made it a genuine alternative to the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. So it remains today, and the five-year, unlimited-mile manufacturer warranty all i30s came with only sweetens the deal.

The i30 isn’t exactly the last word in driving excitement, mind you; vague steering and lolloping suspension sees to that. But it still grips well enough, so while it’s a little bland, it’s still composed and safe. And the upside of that soft ride is that the i30 remains smooth and comfortable all the time – even when it’s fitted with big wheels. You might find it a little noisy once up to speed, mind you.

The petrol engines are responsive enough – the entry-level 1.4-litre is surprisingly perky – while the lower-powered of the two 1.6-litre diesels offers plenty of low-down grunt, making it our engine of choice. The i30 Turbo gets a 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine, but while quick enough to be satisfying, it’s no hot hatch.

Prices are down to around £4500 for the highest-mileage examples, but of course, if you want a tidy Hyundai i30 with respectable mileage, you’ll have to pay a little more. Budget £5500 for a low-mileage, entry-level 1.4-litre petrol example with a full service history.

Diesels with reasonable mileages are quite hard to come by, so expect to pay upwards of £6000 for an example you'd want to own. And if you’re looking for a post-2015 facelift car, with its refreshed styling, you’ll need to fork out at least £7500. The lukewarm i30 Turbo, meanwhile, starts at £12,000.

According to their official figures, petrol models are rather thirsty compared with competitors, but it’s worth remembering that because they’re naturally aspirated, they’re more likely to get closer to those figures in the real world than turbocharged rivals. You’ll still pay more to tax them, though, thanks to their higher emissions figures.

Diesel versions, meanwhile, have decent enough consumption figures that are roughly on a par with the class average. Likewise, service costs are neither particularly pricey, nor particularly cheap.

All Hyundai i30s got plenty of equipment as standard – even the basic Classic version came with Bluetooth connectivity, hill start assist and one-touch indicators. However, we’d step up to the Active model, which was really well equipped, with air conditioning, 15in alloy wheels, cruise control, and rear parking sensors all coming as standard.

Style models gained larger alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, dual-zone climate control, and cornering lights, while the Style Nav added satellite navigation.

Trim level names changed later in the i30’s life – Classic became S; Active becamse SE, and Style became Premium – though specifications remained largely the same. The exception to this was that sat-nav became standard on Premium and Turbo models, and an SE Nav version was added to make it an optional extra on the SE.

Of the engines available, the cheapest of the lot – the 1.4-litre petrol – is very tempting, because it’s smoother and revs more freely than the larger 1.6. That said, the 1.6 betters it in outright pace. Of course, if you do a high mileage, the diesel versions will make more sense, as their better fuel economy will mitigate their higher purchase price.

Our favourite used Hyundai i30: 1.4 Active 5dr

If the huge warranty is the Hyundai i30’s main attraction for you, there are two other cars that might catch your eye.

First up is the Kia Cee’d, which is based around the same underpinnings as the i30 and has a seven-year warranty, albeit limited to 100,000 miles in the latter four years. There’s also the Toyota Auris, which is rather average to drive, but comes with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

However, if the idea of having a big chunk of manufacturer’s warranty left over doesn’t matter as much to you, there are other options out there. The Volkswagen Golf is one of our current favourites, for example – although it’s pricier than the i30, you get a higher-quality interior and a more enjoyable drive.

If you really want something sharp and involving to drive, you should try the Ford Focus or Seat Leon; however, if space is a top priority, the Skoda Octavia betters the i30 and all of its rivals.

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